It had been another month since Isaac discovered his demonic transformation ability. Isaac had been experimenting with his abilities, attempting to regain further control of his abilities as they came out of flux. Isaac also had his remaining clothes improved, Tails aiding in rendering them fireproof. Now, whenever Isaac would go into his rage state, which Dante had gone to call 'The Demon's Rage', his clothes wouldn't burn away.
Isaac and Sally were training in the courtyard again, practicing their swordsmanship. The sun was beginning to set, the last of the rays of sunshine streaking across the Kingdom. As she and Isaac traded blows, the sound of steel clashing with one another, Isaac side-stepped, Sally slashing downward into open air. Isaac attempted to retaliate with a punch, but Sally was quick to block with the pommel of her sword! Isaac quickly leaped back, grinning.
"Good form! Never expect only an attack with a blade when in a swordfight. You're really getting the hang of this!" Isaac praised, impressed.
"Well, I have a really good teacher." Sally commented. Isaac smiled, twirling his sword. As they continued sparring, Isaac felt a warm breeze in the air, winter beginning to turn into Spring. He stopped sparring, momentarily enjoying the sensation. Sally saw this, seeing Isaac close his eyes. She felt the warm breeze as well, now knowing why Isaac stopped.
"You really like Spring, huh?" She asked. Isaac nodded, opening his eyes.
"My father would often take me on the water when it would get warm. Fish would be plentiful, hungry. We would bring in nets of fish, sometimes so heavy, we would have to drag it with us towards the shore. My mother would often be waiting for us, ready to help us gut and dry them for future use. Sounds kinda plain, doesn't it?" Isaac asked. Sally shook her head.
"No, I think it's sweet! I guess that's why you're so sweet, isn't it?" Sally responded, kissing him on the cheek. Isaac blushed lightly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Now you're just flattering me." Isaac replied. Sally smiled, hugging him. As they stood in the courtyard, admiring the transition of Winter into Spring, a guard walked out of the castle, carrying a folder.
"Ranger Abaddon! I have something for you." He said, walking up to Isaac and handing him a folder. Isaac took it, opening it. It was another death threat from the Order of Honorius, except it included a photograph of him in his Demonic Form, caught with a digital camera. There was a red 'X' crossed through his head, the words 'We know it is you!' underneath it.
"This is concerning. If they were able to get this without me seeing them, then that means they're using more advanced technology! The Mobian Trading Company is providing more resources to kill me." Isaac assessed.
"Wait, so that is you in the picture? Have to admit, that's a terrifying thought." The guard commented.
"I only turned into that because I was near-death. But… if they attack me again, I don't know if I'll be able to stop myself from losing control again." Isaac explained. The guard slightly nodded, mulling that little nugget of information in silence.
"Nicole already sent the information of the stronghold in Scotland to the Prime Minister in England. So far, G.U.N. agents are being run through different scenarios to properly take over and wipeout the stronghold. It's only a matter of time." Sally explained.
"Yes… but what will stop them from sending a battalion here?" Isaac asked. Isaac had been worrying that they were going to pull out all the stops to kill him soon! He himself wasn't fearful of death, but he did worry about everyone else in the Kingdom, including Sally and Lily. And an onslaught like that would leave massive casualties!
"Sally… I've been thinking…" Isaac began, before shifting his gaze to the guard. The guard saw the look in Isaac's eyes, seeing that he wanted a bit of privacy with Sally.
"I'll see my way out." He said, walking back towards the castle.
"Sally… I think I may need to leave for a while." Isaac said.
"Wait, what?" Sally asked, confused.
"These death threats are getting bolder! If they have access to more advanced technology, there's nothing stopping them from getting all the information they need to raid the Kingdom!" Isaac explained.
"You're not leaving! One, you're the only one known who has outsmarted them and outfought them! And two, you swore an oath to protect me! You leaving is breaking the oath!" Sally reminded. Isaac cursed himself, not taking his oath into consideration. Suddenly, Isaac's eyes widened, coming up with an idea!
"What if you come with me?" Isaac asked. Sally was surprised by this, not expecting Isaac to ask that.
"Uh… where?" Sally asked.
"I do not know. But it can't be here! They know I am here! It must be anywhere but here!" Isaac answered.
Sally thought on this, knowing there was a slim-to-none chance her father would approve of this. Sally knew her mother travelled all of Mobius as a way to better connect with her allies, and which she continues to do so today. But she also knew constant travelling increased their risk of stepping into a country where the Order of Honorius had a foothold.
"I'll need to talk to my dad. If he doesn't believe it a good idea, he won't allow it." Sally said.
"I will be there as well. I will attempt to convince him to allow it as well." Isaac responded.
After wrapping up their training session, Isaac and Sally went inside and made their way to the throne room, where King Nigel was sitting, listening to a representative from the Mobian Trading Company to resume the trade.
"Please sir, we will ensure that introduction of untaxed cargo will not occur! But I would like to clarify, the Mobian Trading Company had no knowledge of the untaxed cargo being introduced and all parties involved were terminated from their positions!" The representative explained.
King Nigel was chuckling to himself, shaking his head. He stood up from his throne, no longer needing his cane to support himself. He walked towards the representative, his hands behind his back.
"Is the original CEO still in control?" He asked.
"Yes, sir!" The representative answered.
"And is he the one that was in position when this had all happened?" Nigel asked.
"Well, yes sir! But you have to understand, he wasn't-" The representative began to explain, before being stopped by Nigel. He looked towards his six court representatives, who all unanimously gave a thumbs down in response to the representative's argument.
"I will not do business with a murderer! Especially one who allies himself with enemies of the Kingdom! We will not resume trade with the Mobian Trading Company!" Nigel said, giving his answer, before returning to his throne.
The representative sighed, grabbing his briefcase from the floor and turning away to leave. As he leaved, he quickly glanced over at Isaac, resentment in his eyes. After he left, Isaac and Sally approached Nigel, Isaac bowing before him as a sign of respect.
"Greetings, Isaac! How has training been going with my daughter?" He asked.
"She has shown great aptitude for it, sir! But I come to you with a great concern! Isaac answered.
"I am aware of the threats upon your life, but I know that you are more than capable of defending yourself." Nigel responded.
"Yes, sir. But it is about my oath to protect your daughter." Isaac clarified. King Nigel sat up, wanting to hear more.
"Continue." He said.
"I fear these threats and actions will only become greater! And it will not be long until they begin attacking those I know!" Isaac said. King Nigel nodded, understanding his concerns.
"I instead have come up with a course of action that will allow me to uphold my oath and ensure they cannot harm Princess Sally." Isaac explained.
"And that is?" King Nigel asked.
"I have recently purchased a sloop. It has enough supplies to make it to nearby ports for resupply, which will allow me to travel near anywhere in the world. My proposal is that until the strongholds that have been provided to the governments that will do action against them have wiped them out, she is to travel with me and Lily until the all-clear notice has been sent." Isaac explained.
To their surprise, King Nigel didn't outright deny them of the plan. He actually mulled it over in his head.
"I will admit Isaac, your plan is not the worst I have heard of. Using a sloop, which will not be instantly recognized by the Order, and the fact that it would prevent Sally's capture by the Order, always ensuring you would be nearby, is a tempting proposal. But I will have to consult it with my advisor until I can come to an established agreement." King Nigel explained.
"Not Gregory! He won't ever agree to-" Sally began to say, before being interrupted by Isaac.
"I'm in agreement, King Nigel! I would appreciate his experience to better protect the welfare of Princess Sally." Isaac agreed. King Nigel nodded, rising from his throne.
"That will be all. The court shall convene when summoned to again discuss the business that shall benefit the Kingdom for the better of her people." King Nigel announced, dismissing his court.
Isaac and Sally left, heading upstairs to Sally's chambers, where they usually headed to after training sessions. As soon as Sally closed and locked the door, she sighed in frustration.
"I can't believe you agreed to letting Gregory decide on your escape plan! You know he has it out for you!" Sally exclaimed.
"True, but he is more concerned with you and King Nigel's welfare than his vendetta against me. If he truly cares about your wellbeing, he will consider all options with the plan." Isaac responded.
As Sally sat on the foot of her bed, Isaac joined her, holding her hand. He brought it to his lips, kissing the back of her hand. Sally sighed, leaning her head onto his shoulder.
"I will never let the Order try to harm you. I promise you that." Isaac said.
"I'm not worried about the Order." She responded.
"You should be. They're willing to kill children if they are born out of wedlock of their soldiers. I am sure they will kill you if they ever get the chance." Isaac responded. That statement sent chills down her spine, forgetting for the slightest moment just how cruel and ruthless the Order were capable of being.
"Alright, but… what if Gregory doesn't approve?" Sally asked.
"If the worst happens, I'll escort you and Lily out of the Kingdom. We get onto my ship and get ourselves out of here." Isaac explained.
"You mean, defy my father." Sally clarified.
"If it means to protect you, then yes. I would be willing for my scars to be cut open again if it would mean you would not come to harm." Isaac elaborated.
Sally felt touched by his sentiment, knowing how traumatizing his wounds would have to be, judging by the severity of his scars! She quickly hugged him, her head nestling into his neck. Isaac was quick to return the embrace, hugging her tightly. As they held each other, he began noticing Sally was burying her face further into his neck. Soon, he realized she was kissing his neck repeatedly, her hands rubbing his shoulders.
"Sally… what are you doing?" Isaac asked, beginning to smile nervously. She stopped, her eyes meeting his. She was smirking, fluttering her eyes.
"Well, I myself have been thinking… maybe, it's time we advance our relationship." She answered, leaning closer towards Isaac. Isaac's throat dried up almost instantaneously, already getting an idea of what she meant. She began kissing him, but Isaac soon stopped her, feeling a pain in his throat.
"Sally… do you really think we're ready for this?" Isaac asked, feeling unsure of himself. Sally saw the look on his face, seeing he was contemplating this.
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't. But if you don't want to, it's alright." Sally answered.
"Actually… do you remember what I said my father taught me about… being intimate with someone?" Isaac asked.
"Uh, something about a union?" Sally questioned.
"Yes. I want you to know, once it happens, I will consider it being as part of a union. Akin to marriage. And once it happens… there's no going back." Isaac explained.
Sally breathed in, and then out, knowing that Isaac was very serious. As she thought on this, Isaac produced a ring from his pocket.
"Isaac… I'm ready." Sally said. Isaac nodded, the ring in his hand becoming incandescent.
"You don't have to, but… I'm making this permanent." Isaac said, gesturing towards the ring. Sally immediately knew what Isaac was going to do! He was going to brand his finger with the ring!
"Isaac… are you sure? I mean, you do this, it's not going away." Sally asked.
"Neither are the rest of my scars." Isaac responded, slipping the ring onto his left ring finger, scorching his skin. Isaac grunted, used to pain like this. Isaac removed it, a band of scarred flesh around his ring finger. Before he could do anything else with it, Sally quickly snatched it out of his hand, slipping the ring onto hers!
"Aaah!" She reacted, the ring scorching her finger. Isaac quickly removed it, the same band of scarring as his.
"I… I just had to do it quick! Not give it a second thought!" Sally quickly explained, the burning sensation beginning to recede. Isaac gently grabbed her hand, blowing onto her burn. Surprisingly, her burn ceased hurting, his blowing having healed it somewhat.
"What… what did you do?" Sally asked, touching the burn, not feeling it to be painful anymore.
"An old trick my mother taught me when she was teaching me how to work the forge. I guess it's one of my abilities." Isaac explained. But before he could say anything else, Sally quickly tackled him, the both of them landing in the center of the bed. Sally was giggling, kissing Isaac.
"So, I guess I'm Mrs. Sally Abaddon now, aren't I?" She asked, hugging him tightly.
"I… I guess you are." Isaac answered, his throat drying up again. She hugged him tighter, before going to remove her vest. Isaac's heart began to race, before he felt something drip across his lips. He felt for what it was, seeing that his nose was bleeding again.
"Not again." Isaac commented, looking to the side. He grabbed a few tissues from Sally's nightstand, placing them up to his nose to stop the bleeding.
"Wait, that's happened before. It was Christmas Eve. You… saw me in my underwear… Isaac, do you get nosebleeds when you're-" She began to ask before Isaac cut her off.
"No. It happens when my heart beats too fast. But once I get used to it, it'll slow down, and the nosebleeds will stop." Isaac said, his voice nasally from the tissues in his nose. After the bleeding stopped and Isaac threw away the tissues, Sally quickly began kissing him again, hugging him tightly.
"Oh, and if dad asks, you were in here guarding me from the Order." Sally quickly said, kissing him.
"Agreed." Isaac responded, his hands beginning to go through her hair.
Later that night:
Isaac and Sally were breathing heavily, their clothes strewn across the bed. Isaac felt invigorated, as if he had drank an entire pot of coffee! Sally herself was riding on a wave of euphoria, not expecting Isaac to be so engaging!
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep!" Isaac commented, feeling his heart was still racing. Sally turned over towards Isaac, smiling.
"Wanna go again?!" She excitedly asked. Isaac shook his head, sitting up.
"I need a bit." Isaac responded.
"Three minutes? Five minutes?" Sally quickly asked, wrapping her arms around him.
"I don't know. I'm… kinda lightheaded, actually." Isaac answered.
"I would think so, taking how much you… moved." She seductively said, lightly biting him on the neck. Isaac blushed brightly, heat already radiating off of him. Sally giggled a bit, embracing him.
"Your father is going to kill me." Isaac said, now realizing what he did. Sally placed her hand under his chin, turning his gaze to her.
"I won't let that happen. He'd have to go through me, and considering my swordsmanship, he'd have a hell of a time getting to you!" Sally exclaimed. Isaac smirked, finding a new attraction to her fire!
"Wanna go again?" Isaac slyly asked, beginning to chuckle. Sally was quick to react, pulling him back down and kissing him again! But before they could start again, the door to the chambers were knocked on, a heavy hand doing so!
"Princess, open up! I have a message from your father! It's about the plan that was proposed earlier today." A guard said through the door. Scrambling, Sally got off of Isaac, quickly putting her clothes back on! Isaac hopped out of the bed and did so as well, quickly getting his shirt and pants on, fastening his cloak before putting on and lacing his boots! Sally quickly pulled the comforter on her bed to the pillows, making it appear as being made.
"Coming! Just need a moment!" Sally called out, straightening out her vest. She walked over to the door and opened it, seeing Harold Yurani outside, carrying a folder. She opened the door more, her room coming more into view.
"Oh, hey Isaac. Is that a good book?" Harold asked, causing Sally to turn around. Isaac was sitting on a chair near the bookshelf, looking to be reading from a thick, blue book.
"It has its moments. Is the plan approved?" Isaac asked, getting up and setting the book down on the chair.
"Read it for yourself." Harold said, smiling. Sally took it, opening it. As she read it, she began to smile, realizing that Gregory actually approved of the plan!
"It's all here! Even a few different routes the ship can take starting from the Kingdom! It's all actually here!" Sally exclaimed, excited by the prospect.
"That is great! That means I'll need to gather more supplies! More equipment! I'm gonna need to run this plan by Lily sometime this week! Excuse me, Harold, but I need to get to my quarters quick!" Isaac said, making for the door. Harold quickly stopped him, blocking the frame of the door.
"Actually, Isaac, King Nigel has requested you stay in Princess Sally's chambers for tonight. With the death threats against you coming in, and the possibility of the Order to attempt to kidnap Princess Sally to draw you out, it'll be better if you sleep here during the nights until further notice." Harold informed.
Isaac was genuinely surprised by this development, but he wasn't going to complain! After bidding farewell to Harold and closing and locking the door, he turned back around to Sally, who quickly leaped onto him, embracing, and kissing him, practically dragging him back to the bed!